Foods That Can Hurt Your Hair

Posted by Brandi Marcene on March 16, 2018

Just like your skin, your hair is also affected by the kind of foods you consume. Think about your hair growth as a garden. How well it grows is totally reliant on what is happening “underground”. Similar to a field, a normal hair cycle results in a product, which is basically your hair. If you are consuming nutrient-dense foods and are following a balanced diet that comprises of complex carbohydrates, protein, irons, minerals, and vitamins then you will be soon on your way to seeing positive results. However, if your diet is a poor one that comprises of the wrong foods, then you will keep wondering why your hair is being so problematic. To help you get started on what not to eat, we have compiled here a list of 6 foods that actually end up hurting your hair and thus need to be cut out from your diet.

1. Sugar

Sugar is not only your enemy when it comes to maintaining your weight, but also your hair goals. When we consume a lot of sugar, it causes our blood pressure to increase since the body pumps out more insulin in response. This, in turn, spikes your androgen levels, a male hormone that can lead to the shrinking of the hair follicle in both men and women.

2. Excess Vitamin A

Although vitamin A is a key component for hair growth, too much of it can end up causing hair loss. This normally happens with vitamin A supplementation through medicine. Keep in mind that normal hair growth only begins after the intake of vitamin A has been fully managed.

3. Swordfish

Swordfish contains high levels of mercury that can lead to hair loss. The general rule (there are exceptions) is that the bigger the fish is in nature, the higher levels of mercury it packs. Avoid fish such as mackerel, swordfish, and even some types of Tuna.

4. Alcohol

Excessive drinking or overdrinking slows down zinc levels in your body, which is an imperative mineral for healthy hair. Plus, it dehydrates your hair, further damaging it and making it more prone to breakage.

5. Starchy Whites

This one goes hand in hand with sugar, because cakes, white bread, white pastas, pastries, and other over-processed and refined starches are transformed into sugar, which lead to hair thinning. So, take a step back from that croissant and stick to whole wheat whenever possible.

6. Fast Food

Oily foods translate to greasy skin, which also includes your scalp. As your noggin's pores end up clogged, the result is usually hair loss.

What Foods to Eat Instead?

1. Seafood

Seafood such as fish, oysters, and lobsters are packed with healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Your body is naturally designed to produce these fats, which is why you are left with no choice but to obtain them through supplements. Not only do omega-3s help you battle against different diseases, but also accelerate hair growth.

Oysters, for example, are rich in zinc. Zinc deficiency can result in hair loss. This is because cells that build hair are heavily reliant on zinc to help them work in order to reach their optimum potential.

2. Lean Poultry

Have you ever noticed how muscles cease to grow (and sometimes even start shrinking) when you are not getting enough protein? The same happens to your hair. In absence of enough dietary protein, hair basically goes on strike. Less new hair will substitute for what's shedding (around 50 to 100 hairs every day), and you will experience a general loss of hair. To get protein from meat, go for lean options such as turkey, fish, chicken, lean pork loin or grass-fed beef.

3. Leafy Greens

Dark, leafy greens, in general, are loaded with key nutrients. A great example of green leafy vegetable is spinach, which is a great source of vitamin A, iron, vitamin A, folate, beta-carotene, as well as vitamin C. All these vitamin and minerals work together to produce a healthy scalp and longer hair. They also retain moisture in your hair which prevents them from breaking. If you can't find spinach, then kale is also a great choice.

4. Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt is an excellent source of protein, which makes the building block of your hair. Moreover, it contains an ingredient known as pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), that improves blood circulation to your scalp, thus accelerating hair growth. That ingredient may even be helpful when it comes to preventing hair loss and thinning. Vitamin B5 is mainly used in numerous skin and hair care products thanks to their rejuvenating properties.

5. Guavas

Guavas are an excellent choice if you are looking to prevent hair breakage. These tropical fruits are loaded with vitamin C, where one cup of guava packs about 377 mg of the vitamin. That is more than four times of your daily recommended Vitamin C intake.

At present day, our diets are deficient in key essential, making it rather necessary for us to fall back on multivitamin supplements. For long and strong hair, go for vitamins that are especially designed for “hair, nails and skin”. This is because such supplements contain essential vitamins such as vitamins B and C, folic acid and biotin, which are essential for hair health. An excellent product worth considering is Kerotin Hair Growth Vitamin supplements that include all these key minerals and vitamins with zero artificial ingredients.

Kerotin Hair Care is a world class brand for beauty and hair care that brings you high-quality hair rejuvenating products at affordable rates. With its customer-oriented philosophy and practices, Kerotin Hair Care only makes non-GMO products that are also cruelty-free! The company believes that young women shouldn’t have to waste a ton of money on buying expensive hair extensions or products and should instead work to beautify what they already have – their natural hair. For this reason, all of their hair care products come with an affordable price tag so you don’t break the bank in order to pamper yourself.